See articles relevant to me

Thank you for your input! You will see a selection of articles relevant to your profile. Click the Redo button to reset your choices or see all articles.

5 Conditions Linked to Stress

Image: Shutterstock

4.MAY.20185 MIN READ|5 MIN READ

Did you know that prolonged stress can take a toll on your health?

Stress comes in many forms. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). It can be triggered by an everyday event (eg. a big presentation at work), a traumatic life event (eg. death in the family), or even by nothing obvious at all. And it won’t always be a conscious thing – in fact, you might be stressed and not even realise it.

Some people dismiss the experience of stress and pretend everything is OK. But if it starts to get overwhelming and you see signs of a serious health problem, you should always seek medical advice.

Here are 5 common health problems related to stress.

Heart disease

When you’re in a seriously stressful situation, your heart rate speeds up, you breathe faster, your muscles tense and your hands get sweaty. This is your body’s natural response to stress – fight or flight – and it’s caused by the release of hormones, which includes cortisol and adrenaline, in your body.

But what about chronic stress? What effect does that have on your heart?

While a connection has yet to be scientifically proven, initial studies suggest that chronic stress and an unhealthy level of stress hormones may contribute to inflammation of the heart muscle, a factor in heart disease, as well as changes in the way your blood clots, which can increase your risk of heart attack.

That’s not all. Stress can make your blood pressure spike, as well as make you feel more like overeating, smoking or skipping out on exercise – all of which are risk factors for heart disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common chronic disorder that affects the large intestine, causing cramping, pain, bloating, and diarrhoea or constipation. Flare-ups can be caused by several different factors, and many people with the condition find that stress is one of them.

In fact, almost 60% of people with IBS meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder such as anxiety or depression. IBS sufferers frequently experience mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. Some of the mood disorders may also arise because of poorly controlled IBS symptoms.

So, what’s the link? Well, stress has been linked to increased movement and sensitivity in the intestines. As the pain pathways in our central nervous systems are linked to our gut processes, external stressors can trigger unpleasant bowel symptoms. There is also evidence to show that stress and mood disorders can alter our gut microbiome and affect our immune system, both of which are important for proper gut function.

If you have IBS, finding ways to relieve stress may help you to manage your condition and improve your quality of life. Getting a good sleep and having a work-life balance is a good start to managing IBS symptoms.

Tension headaches

Do you have a dull pain in your head or neck, like a clamp around your skull? This is a classic sign of a tension headache. An occasional tension headache is usually set off by a single stressful event, but if you suffer from chronic stress, you may also get chronic tension headaches. This cycle of pain itself is a big stress factor, and can make the stresses of daily living feel even worse.

High blood sugar

When you feel stressed, your body wants to make sure you have enough energy to deal with the cause of stress. So, it releases more glucagon and adrenaline, as well as glucose, from your liver. Insulin levels fall, and growth hormones and cortisol levels rise, which makes your body less sensitive to the insulin you do have.

This means more glucose is available in your blood stream, and you have higher blood sugar levels. Consistently high blood sugar levels can wreak havoc on your health, with symptoms including increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, light-headedness, flushed skin and restlessness.

Some studies go so far as to suggest extreme stress can increase your risk of developing diabetes. One found that men with prolonged stress have a 45% higher risk of developing the condition.

Alzheimer’s disease

Doctors are yet to prove the connection between stress and Alzheimer’s disease, but stress is thought to cause inflammation of the brain, making it more susceptible to health issues in general. Stress is also associated with depression, which is known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

In addition, one study found that stressful life experiences (eg. being fired, declaring bankruptcy, death of a parent or financial loss) can each age the brain by around 1.5 years, with age obviously being a contributing factor in the onset of the condition.

Sauer, A. (2017, September 13). The 27 Stressful Life Events That Can Lead to Alzheimer’s. Retrieved February 14, 2018, from https://www.alzheimers.net/the-stressful-life-events-that-can-lead-to-alzheimers/

Stress and IBS. (2016, June 15). Retrieved February 14, 2018, from https://aboutibs.org/what-is-ibs-sidenav/stress-and-ibs.html

Talk to us

Send me health tips & articles

By clicking Submit, I agree to Parkway Group’s Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of Parkway Group’s subscriptions at any time.

About Mount Elizabeth

Mount Elizabeth has been serving Asia Pacific for over 30 years as a leading medical hub, earning the trust of patients with its strategic pairing of exceptional medical talents with advanced technology.

Staffed by a large team of dedicated professionals and a diverse mix of highly skilled specialists, both hospitals have received the renowned Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation of quality care.

Whatever your health concern may be, our specialists and nurses are here to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.